I am of Iraqi/Iranian heritage. I was born in Kuwait in 1987, during Saddam Hussein's regime, 3 years prior to the Invasion of Kuwait and towards the end of the Iraq-Iran War. As a result, my family moved around frequently, till we eventually settled in New Zealand in 1996. 

Growing up, I had always turned to painting or drawing as a way of processing the constant changes that took place amidst a turbulent upbringing. This form of expression neutralized the need to speak, which was often an obstacle in foreign countries where language, humor, cultures and traditions differed and contradicted my own. I learnt to adapt quickly in various situations, becoming increasingly sensitive to cultural nuances that dictated my behavior. 

Similarly, my works respond directly to a particular time and place. I am drawn to volatile geographical situations where two or more ethnicities or religions co-exist side by side. I search for commonalities in clashing cultures, for glimmers of connection and acceptance in the most hopeless situations. This has informed the places I choose to travel and therefore the works I create.